The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate leader to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for the design, implementation, and evaluation of human rights technical cooperation programs.

In this role, you will cultivate high-level relationships with partners and donors, ensuring that all initiatives align with the Commission’s priorities and global human rights frameworks. Leading the International Engagement team, you will enhance the Commission’s impact and reputation in advancing human rights regionally and internationally.

This full-time / Part time, ongoing / non ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $139, 336 – $163,754 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible hybrid and remote work options to suit your lifestyle.

What You’ll Do:

• With the Senior Director, develop an International Engagement Strategy for AHRC across programs and international engagement.
• Provide overall strategic leadership for the design, planning, and delivery of human rights technical cooperation programs, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and international development best practices.
• Drive innovation and thought leadership, strengthening the profile of the Commission in international human rights programming.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all human rights programs, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Ensure programs meet compliance, quality, and accountability standards, including adherence to grant requirements and international frameworks.
• Build and maintain high-level relationships with key partners, donors, government agencies, and international organisations.
• Hold operational responsibility and take proactive approach for risk management across all programs, ensuring the identification and mitigation of risks at both programmatic and organisational levels.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the International Engagement team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
• Work in partnership with the Senior Director to identify, develop, and secure new program opportunities, including preparing proposals.

What We’re Looking For:

• Advanced expertise in program strategy, management, and oversight across international development and human rights programs.
• Strong skills in designing and implementing high-level monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks to drive impact.
• Experience in leading multi-stakeholder international programs in human rights or international development, along with outstanding relationship management and negotiation skills, ensuring long-term partnerships and collaboration.
• Proven track record of managing large budgets and complex grant-funded initiatives, ideally with DFAT funding.
• Deep understanding of human rights, Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and sustainable and locally-led development principles.
• Postgraduate qualification in International Development, Human Rights Law, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, set a strategic vision, and inspire high performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights communication in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Notes

We strongly encourage First Nations people and individuals from other negatively racialised backgrounds to apply.

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

How to Apply

Click "Apply Now". Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position(s), your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfil the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Suzi Chinnery, Senior Director – Partnerships and Projects via [email protected] using the subject line: Director, International Engagement enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.